That night it occurred to Jim that perhaps the best way to fix his problem was to ignore it. He couldn't back down from the bet now. And the way Jim reasoned it out, he had nothing to apologize for. Not really. If Spock had wanted Jim out of his lap he simply could have pushed him away. He knew the Vulcan was more than capable of making him stop.

In fact, Jim had been pretty sure that Spock hadn't wanted him to stop. That is until Uhura showed up. So the way he had reasoned it, Uhura owed him an apology. She was the one who simultaneously managed to keep him from winning his bet and satisfying his desire.

It just wasn't fair! By the time he'd reached the bridge that insanely early in the morning, Jim had almost completely convinced himself that it was all Uhura's fault.

"Where the hell is Bones going to get a dog collar anyway?" Jim thought. "Damn it, this sucks unbelievably." At this point, Jim wasn't even sure he could go on with his plan, no matter how much he wanted to win. No matter how much he wanted Spock.

His mind changed the second he laid eyes on the object of his affection.Spock stood with impeccable posture, recording data reads from the computer into his log. Jim let his eyes roamover Spock'slithe form. He was a slender man and yet Jim could tell that he was in great shape, even through his uniform. He was also the only one on the bridge.

As Jim's eyes wandered up to Spock's face and neck, he fought the urge to kiss every bit of the man's exposed flesh. But Jim also felt a wave of sickness that he easily identified as guilt. "Shit…"

All Jim wanted to do now was make Spock forgive him, make him feel better.

"Make him want me the way I want him," Jim thought.

He walked toward Spock as quietly as he could. He was sure that the Vulcan knew he was there and was just trying to ignore him. And Jim was determined to make that impossible.

Jim wrapped his arms around Spock's waist and clutched his first officer to him tightly.

"Captain," Spock said after a moment, calm but forceful. "As I am sure you are aware, Vulcans do not enjoy this sort of physical contact. Please release me."

"No," Jim defiantly responded. He nuzzled into the crook of Spock's neck and tightened his grip. "I'm sorry, Spock. I really am," he expressed quietly. "I never intended for it to happen that way and I didn't mean to upset you. I only wanted to…" was all Jim managed to get out. For the second time in his life and in only the span of two days, he found himself unable to broach the subject of his feelings.

Spock seemed content in waiting for Jim to continue. He had gone back to typing information into his log. For some reason, Jim found that Spock's lack of response hurt him. "Please don't ignore me, Spock." Jim pleaded and placed a soft kiss against the side of Spock's neck. "Please…"

"You only wished to, what, Captain?" Spock replied, unhurried. "Because I fail to comprehend how you could have had any other ulterior motive then to illicit another emotional response from me."

"That was the point, Spock. But the emotion I was looking for wasn't anger."

Spock turned around slowly in his Captain's grasp. He looked deep into Jim's eyes, as if trying to stare into his soul. The hurt expression Spock held only in his eyes asked a silent string of questions, demands, of Jim.

"I…" Jim began delicately, releasing his grip on Spock. "I love you and I just wanted you to want me the way I want you but you want Uhura and I just didn't know what to do, God, I'm sorry Spock!" He rambled at an unbelievable pace. Truly, Jim had no idea if Spock had even understood a word he had said due to how much he slurred it all together. He turned away from Spock, both in an attempt to hide his embarrassment and preserve the last sliver of his dignity.

"You are incorrect, Jim." Spock stated plainly. "Lieutenant Uhura and I terminated our brief romantic relationship approximately 8.23 days ago."

"What?" Jim asked and turned back to Spock, a look of genuine confusion on his face. "Then why the hell was she so upset?"

"Despite the end of our romantic interactions, she requested that we remain friends. Yesterday the Lieutenant informed me of a bet between yourself and Doctor McCoy. Apparently he inquired as to whether or not she was currently in possession of a dog collar." Spock explained with one eyebrow quirked.

Jim wasn't sure whether to laugh or stab Bones with one of his own hyposprays. He quickly decided he'd probably end up doing both.

"Uhura was convinced that you were attempting to…'take advantage' of me, as she put it." Spock finished. Jim just stood there, dumbfounded, as Spock stared, waiting for a response. "Spock it wasn't my intention to take advantage of you." Though I'd definitely like to take advantage of you in bed if you'd let me. "The bet with Bones happened while I was trying to tell him how I feel about you, for God's sake!" Jim told the other.

"And how do you feel about me, Captain?" Spock questioned. He had a certain glint in his eye and Jim got the feeling he was being teased.

"Why, Mr. Spock, are you teasing me?" He asked with a grin.

"Vulcans do not..." Spock began but was abruptly cut off. Jim took a step forward and closed the distance between them, pressing his lips against Spock's.

Spock stiffened at first, but relaxed visibly as Jim pressed their bodies together. Jim's tongue entreated entrance to the hot mouth he had captured and once Spock complied they began a brief battle for dominance. Spock eventually won out, but Jim wasn't ready to give up that easily. He traced a hand down Spock's arm and entwined their fingers. He rubbed along Spock's hand in small circular motions, causing Spock to moan softly into the kiss.

Without warning, Spock picked his Captain up. Jim wrapped his legs around Spock's waist instinctively and broke the kiss for a moment to gasp for breath. As Spock carried Jim in the direction of his room, Jim trailed eager kisses down his ear, jaw and neck. And as the door to Spock's room shut tightly behind them, Jim was all joy and smiles.

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Hi again. I hope you've all enjoyed the story thus far. Thanks again for the reviews!! They are a writer's drug for sure.

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be leaving bright and early tomorrow for a 2 and a half week long trip to a place with no electricity, and therefore no internet. I will try my hardest to get the next chapter (with the conclusion of the bet) up tonight so you don't have to wait 2 ½ weeks for Bones in a dress!

While I'm away I plan to write a side-story of total Kirk/Spock smut (aka what happens between this chapter and the conclusion). I'm also going to do a Jim/Bones alternate ending where Jim looses the bet, if anyone is interested. And probably some more. Whatever I feel like, really since I won't have too much to do. Well thanks so much for reading!!

xoxox